Hearing device

ABSTRACT

A hearing device has a sealable housing with a wall that delimits an inner space. In addition, the hearing device has a microphone which is arranged in the inner space, and a microphone opening in the wall, as well as a protective element for protecting the microphone. The housing has a sound channel with at least one sound inlet opening, and the protective element is positioned in the sound channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Germanapplication DE 10 2017 219 470.7, filed Nov. 2, 2017; the priorapplication is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hearing device, in particular an in-the-ear(ITE) hearing device having the features of the preamble of the mainclaim.

Hearing devices are wearable hearing apparatuses that are generallyconfigured to output sound. “Sound” here generally signifies an acousticsignal, for example music and/or speech.

A “hearing apparatus” generally refers to any device which may be wornin or on the ear and produces a sound, for example a headset, headphonesand the like. Hearing devices are, in addition, specially designed ashearing aids. “Hearing aid” refers to a device for the care of a personwith hearing loss or a hearing impairment who, in particular, wears thehearing aid continuously or most of the time in order to compensate fora hearing deficit.

Hearing devices generally have as their main components an inputtransducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transduceris usually a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and/or anelectromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transduceris usually realized as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. miniaturespeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g. bone conductionreceiver. The amplifier is typically integrated into a signal processingunit. This general structure is shown in FIG. 1 using the example of abehind-the-ear hearing device. One or more microphones 2 for recordingthe sound from the environment are built into a hearing device housing 1to be worn behind the ear. A signal processing unit 3, which is alsointegrated into the hearing device housing 1, processes and amplifiesthe microphone signals. The output signal of the signal processing unit3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or receiver 4, which outputs anacoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted to the devicewearer's eardrum via a sound tube, which is fixated in the ear canal byan earmold. The power supply for the hearing device and in particularthe signal processing unit 3 is accomplished via a battery 5 that islikewise integrated into the hearing device housing 1.

For sound that is amplified, for example, a voice of a conversationpartner of the hearing device wearer typically passes to the microphonevia one or more sound openings in the hearing device housing. However,undesired foreign bodies and/or liquids such as water and/or sweat mayenter the interior of the hearing device and in particular themicrophone through such sound openings. This may lead to damage to themicrophone or even to failure of the hearing device.

Published, European patent application EP 0 310 866 A1 discloses anapparatus for sealing openings on hearing devices. The openings aresealed for example by means of caps that have a sound-permeable andmoisture-repellent membrane. To seal the openings, the caps are forexample screwed onto the opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this, the objective of the invention is to provide ahearing device in which the openings, in particular the microphoneopening, are reliably protected.

The objective is achieved according to the invention by a hearing devicewith the features of the main claim. Advantageous configurations,developments and variants are the subject matter of the dependentclaims.

The hearing device has a normally sealable housing with a wall.“Sealable” herein means that the housing is in particular not built inone piece, i.e. monolithically, but instead has at least two (housing)parts, and the housing may be opened, for example, for a batteryreplacement and/or the replacement of defective parts. The wall delimitsan inner space, and preferably the above-mentioned individual componentsof the hearing device are arranged in this space.

Thus, the hearing device has a microphone arranged in the inner space,as well as a microphone opening in the wall. To protect the microphone,in particular against contamination, the hearing device has a protectiveelement. Such contamination often passes through the microphone openinginto the inner space. “Contamination” herein refers especially toforeign bodies, for example hair and/or moisture, such as, for example,water and/or sweat.

The housing also has a sound channel with at least one sound inletopening. The sound channel leads from the outside to the microphone,thus forming a sound connection to the microphone opening. To protectthe microphone, the protective element is positioned in the soundchannel.

For this purpose, the protective element preferably fills the soundchannel. The protective element, for this purpose, is in particularflexible and especially elastic. The protective element is in particulardeployed so as to be gripped within the sound channel. The protectiveelement therefore has a cross-sectional area that is adapted to thecross-sectional area of the sound channel. The protective element has anouter dimension, i.e. in the case of a circular design a diameter, thatis equal to or slightly larger than an inner dimension of the soundchannel, in particular an (inner) diameter.

As a result, the microphone is simply and reliably protected fromcontamination. In addition, the protective element is also protectedfrom being contaminated via direct contact, for example a contaminatedfinger. For example, upon penetration by a foreign body or moisture, theforeign body or moisture is retained and/or absorbed by the protectiveelement, thus protecting the microphone and prolonging the functionalityof the hearing device.

A significant advantage is that as a result of the positioning of theprotective element in the sound channel, a height of the hearing deviceis also reduced, because an existing “space,” namely the sound channel,is used for positioning the protective element. In other words: Aseparate “space” for the protective element in the inner space of thehousing is not required, and as a result the height of the housing andthus of the entire hearing device is reduced.

According to a preferred configuration, the protective element isreversibly replaceable. In particular, the protective element is notglued or held by mechanical fasteners. The protective element ispreferably present directly in the sound channel and, for example—asalready mentioned—gripped in the sound channel by the sound channelitself. As a result, first, a soiled protective element may bestraightforwardly renewed. On the other hand, the protective element maythus be produced as a cost-effective user-replaceable part, and inparticular long-lived and expensive materials are not required.

Expediently, the sound channel is formed so as to pass through thehousing. “Passing through” herein means especially that the soundchannel extends from one side of the housing to the other side, forexample in the manner of a borehole running through the housing. Eachend of the sound channel in this case has a sound inlet opening, withthe wall delimiting the sound channel. Sound reaches the microphone viathe sound inlet openings and the sound channel. To this end, themicrophone is connected with the sound channel via the microphoneopening.

Preferably, the microphone opening is oriented transversely to the soundchannel, so when the protective element is in the inserted state, it ispositioned “in front of” the microphone opening within the soundchannel. Preferably, the protective element has a length correspondingto one third of the length of the sound channel.

The sound inlet openings are preferably arranged on opposite side wallsof the housing, and when the hearing device is worn, one of the sidewalls is oriented toward the head. That is, in the worn state, the soundchannel is oriented substantially perpendicular to the scalp. As aresult, intrusion of contamination such as hair is at least reduced.

First, by means of the sound inlet openings on each end, straightforwardreplacement of the protective element is ensured. Second, by means ofthe sound inlet openings, a sufficient “sound pickup” by the microphoneis ensured.

Expediently, the protective element is arranged in the sound channel ata distance from the two sound inlet openings, so as to assure protectionagainst contact, for example, by the user's finger. Thus, the protectiveelement is preferably arranged in a middle third of the sound channel,so that when the protective element is in the inserted state, forexample, it is positioned one third of the length of the sound channelaway from the sound inlet openings. In this way, in particular soilingfrom contact with the protective element, for example by the user'sfingers, is prevented.

For straightforward replacement, according to a preferred embodiment theprotective element may be guided through the sound channel. The user maythus accomplish the replacement simply and quickly, for example, bypushing the protective element out of a sound inlet opening of the soundchannel and pushing a new protective element in via the respective othersound inlet opening.

The housing is preferably designed to be sealable. According to apreferred development, when the housing is closed, the protectiveelement may be positioned in, and in particular may be pushed into, thesound channel via one of the sound inlet openings. The advantage of thisdevelopment is in its user-friendliness. Thus, first, as a result of thehousing being closed, components of the hearing device are preventedfrom being damaged and/or lost when replacing the protective element.Second, in this case, there is no need for specialized personnel, forexample, an acoustician, in order to replace the protective element.

Preferably, for purposes of replacement, the protective element may beguided into or out of the sound channel by means of a tool. For thispurpose, the protective element is pushed out from the sound channel,for example by means of the tool, and a new protective element is thenpushed into the sound channel by means of the tool and positioned infront of the microphone opening.

For sound permeability, the protective element is designed in particularas a sound-permeable membrane. In particular, the protective elementconsists of the membrane. As a result, a sufficient protective effectagainst foreign bodies and/or moisture is established and in addition,the above-mentioned sound permeability is established, so as not toimpact the hearing device functionality. Alternatively, the protectiveelement is formed as a mesh.

In general, the protective element in particular has a shape in themanner of a block or alternatively a cylinder. As a result, it is verywell adapted to an inner contour of the sound channel. In general, theprotective element preferably has the same cross-sectional area as thesound channel.

In order to ensure the above-described gripping of the protectiveelement in the sound channel, the protective element preferably has aslightly larger outer dimension, especially a diameter, than the innerdimension of the sound channel. A “slightly larger outer dimension”herein means in particular that the outer dimension is greater than theinner dimension of the sound channel by 10% to 20% or, for example, by avalue in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

The protective element is preferably self-gripping due to its elasticproperty. No further means are especially furnished by means of whichthe gripping of the protective element within the sound channel isensured.

According to an expedient development, the protective element has ahydrophobic and/or oleophobic material. Alternatively, the protectiveelement is formed of such a material. As a result, the protectiveelement is water- and/or oil-repellent and successfully prevents thepenetration of moisture and/or sweat into the housing.

Preferably, the wall has an inner wall region and an outer wall region,between which the sound channel is formed. That is, the sound channel isdelimited by the inner wall region and the outer wall region. In otherwords: The inner wall separates the sound channel from the part of theinner space in which the components of the hearing device and inparticular the microphone are arranged. In this case, the outer wallforms the “second boundary” of the sound channel. The inner wall alsohas a hole in the manner of a borehole, which forms the microphoneopening. Between the inner wall and the microphone, a sealing element ispreferably arranged. The sealing element preferably serves to furtherseal the microphone against sound from the inner space.

Another essential aspect in the present case is that the sealing elementis preferably free of the protective element. Thus, the sealing elementand the protective element are two separate components of the hearingdevice and accordingly an expensive and complicated sealing element,into which for example the protective element is integrated, is notrequired. Furthermore, as a result, the overall height of the housing isfurther reduced, because a sealing element with an integrated protectiveelement has a greater height than the sealing element in this case,which does not have an integrated protective element.

Expediently, the hearing device has a tool as an accessory. The tool hasa handle part and at least one tool tip. The handle part serves permitsthe user to hold the tool when replacing the protective element. Thetool tip serves to guide the protective element when it is placed intoand positioned inside the sound channel. The advantage is that as aresult, the protective element may be straightforwardly replaced.

According to a preferred development, the at least one tool tip has apin-shaped design and may be pushed into the sound channel, inparticular in order to position the protective element. “Pin-shaped”herein means that the diameter of the tool tip is preferably smaller bya factor of 10 than the diameter of the handle part. In particular, thetool tip has the same diameter as the sound channel, toproduction-related and minimal tolerances. As a result, the tool, inparticular, the tool tip may straightforwardly be pushed into the soundchannel.

According to a further preferred development, the tool has two tooltips, each having different lengths. This development is based on theidea that the protective element may be pushed out of the sound channelby means of the first—longer—tool tip, and a new protective element maybe pushed into the sound channel by means of the second—shorter—tooltip. An essential aspect in this case is that the first—longer—tool tippreferably has at least one length that corresponds to two-thirds of thelength of the sound channel. This ensures that the protective element ispushed out of one sound outlet opening when the user introduces thefirst tool tip into the other sound inlet opening. Analogously, anessential aspect is that the second—shorter—tool tip preferably has atmaximum a length that is one-third the length of the sound channel. Whenthe protective element is pushed into the sound channel—i.e. when thesecond tool tip has been pushed into the sound channel until it stops—itis positioned exactly above the microphone opening.

As a result, the protective element may be straightforwardly replacedand positioned in the sound channel.

According to a preferred configuration, the hearing device is designedas a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing device.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a hearing device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited tothe details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made therein without departing from the spirit of the inventionand within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, longitudinal sectional view through a hearingdevice according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the hearing device witha sound channel for additionally introducing a protective elementaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line III-IIIshown in FIG. 2 of the hearing device with a protective elementpositioned in the sound channel;

FIG. 4 is the cross-sectional taken along the section line III-III shownin FIG. 2 of the hearing device, with a tool introduced into the soundchannel to push the protective element out; and

FIG. 5 is the cross-sectional view taken along the section line III-IIIshown in FIG. 2 of the hearing device, with a tool introduced into thesound channel to push the protective element in.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, parts having the same effect are represented by thesame reference numerals.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly to FIG. 2 thereof, there is shown a hearing device 6 thathas all the parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 necessary for the functionality of thehearing device 6 shown in FIG. 1. The hearing device according to FIG. 2is a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing device. The hearing device housing 1,or simply the housing 1, has a sound channel 8, which in the exemplaryembodiment extends through the housing 1 and has a sound inlet opening12 at each end. The sound channel 8 is delimited by an outer wall region12 and an inner wall region 14 of the housing 1. In the exemplaryembodiment, the sound channel 8 is arranged such that, when the hearingdevice 6 is worn, it extends through the housing 1 substantiallyperpendicular to a scalp 15 of the user oriented. Thus, a sound inletopening 10 is arranged respectively on each side of the housing 1. Inthis way, it is prevented, in particular, that a user's hair simplyenters the sound channel 8 and thus adversely affects the functionalityof the hearing device 6.

The hearing device 6, in particular the housing 1, has an inner space 16(cf. FIG. 3), in which the components of the hearing device 2, 3, 4, 5are arranged in the exemplary embodiment, and which is delimited by awall 11. The inner space 16 is separated from the sound channel 8 by theinner wall region 14. In the exemplary embodiment, a microphone 2 isarranged in the inner space 16 such that the microphone is connected tothe sound channel 8 to receive sound via a microphone opening 18 in theinner wall region 14 (see FIG. 3) (preferably in the manner of aborehole). In other words: The microphone 2 is arranged and oriented inthe inner space 16 such that sound reaches the microphone 2 via thesound channel 8 and the microphone opening 18.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the sectional plane III-IIIshown in FIG. 2. In the exemplary embodiment, a protective element 20 ispositioned in the sound channel 8. The protective element 20 serves toprotect the microphone 2 from foreign bodies and contaminants, such asfor example moisture. In the inserted state (see FIG. 3), the protectiveelement 20 is positioned in the sound channel 8 in such a way that itseals off the microphone opening 18 and thus prevents the entry of theabove-mentioned foreign bodies or contaminants. To establish soundpermeability, the protective element 20 is formed as a membrane oralternatively as a mesh, either having a hydrophobic and/or oleophobicmaterial or consisting of such a material. Designing the protectiveelement 20 as a mesh is based on the idea that the protective element 20thus has a firmness that is “strong” enough to push the protectiveelement 20 in and out of the sound channel 8, but “weak” enough and thuspermeable enough to pass sound to the microphone 2. In the exemplaryembodiment, the protective element 20 is adapted to the inner contour ofthe sound channel 8 and has the same cross-sectional contour, in orderboth to have a high accuracy of fit in the sound channel 8 and also tohave a shape that is simple to manufacture, and which in particularfavors production as a user-replaceable part. The protective element 20is, for example, cylindrical or alternatively block-shaped. The elementpreferably has a length in the direction of the sound channel 8 that isgreater than the microphone opening, for example by at least a factor of2 or at least a factor of 3.

The longitudinal direction of the sound channel 8 and thus that of theprotective element 20 is preferably oriented perpendicular to a normalto the surface of the microphone opening 18. The protective element 20is generally oriented transversely to the microphone opening 18.

To increase the protective effect, the protective element 20 has thesame diameter D as the sound channel 8, except for minimal, for example,production-related tolerances.

In the exemplary embodiment, a sealing element 22 is arranged betweenthe inner wall region 14, especially the microphone opening 18, and themicrophone 2. The sealing element 22 serves to provide an additionalsealing of the microphone opening 18 against sound from the inner space16.

FIG. 4 shows a tool 24 introduced into the sound channel 8, inparticular a first tool tip 26 of the tool 24 that has been introducedinto the sound channel 8. The tool 24 is used to switch out theprotective element 20 from the sound channel 8. For this purpose, forexample, the first pin-shaped tool tip 26 is introduced into the soundchannel 8 through a sound inlet opening 10 so that the tip “pushes out”the protective element 20 via the opposite sound inlet opening 10 of thecontinuous sound channel 8. Subsequently, the protective element 20 maybe completely removed from the sound channel 8, for example manually,and disposed of. For better handling of the tool 24, it also has ahandle part 28 in addition to the first tool tip 26.

To ensure a sufficient “pushing out” of the protective element 20 bymeans of the first tool tip 26, this tip has at least one length thatcorresponds to two-thirds of the length L of the sound channel 8.

In order to “push in” a new protective element 20 into the sound channel8, the tool 24 in the exemplary embodiment additionally has a secondpin-shaped tool tip 30, as shown in FIG. 5.

The tool tips 26, 30 are arranged, for example, in each case on one(end) side of the handle part 28, so that the user only has to rotatethe tool depending on whether the protective element 20 needs to bepushed out or pushed in.

For pushing into the sound channel 8, the user holds the protectiveelement 20, for example, in front of one of the sound inlet openings 10,and then “pushes” it into the sound channel 8 by means of the secondtool tip 30. The configuration of the tool 24 with two tool tips 26, 30has proven suitable because the second tool tip 30, for example, has alength corresponding to one third of the length L of the sound channel8. In this way, it is straightforwardly ensured that the protectiveelement 20 will always be positioned in front of the microphone opening18 in the inserted/pushed-in state. In other words: The user pushes theprotective element 20 into the sound channel 8 by means of the tool 24until, for example, the handle part 28 rests against the housing 1. Dueto the advantageously selected length of the second tool tip 30, theprotective element 20 is then positioned in front of the microphoneopening 18 without the user being able to push the protective element 20too far into the sound channel 8. Alternatively, the tool 24 has onlyone tool tip.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments describedabove. Rather, other variants of the invention may be derived therefromby a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from thesubject matter of the invention. In particular, all the individualfeatures described in connection with the exemplary embodiment may alsobe combined with each other in other ways, without departing from thesubject matter of the invention.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and thecorresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

-   1 Hearing device housing-   2 Microphone-   3 Signal processing unit-   4 Receiver-   5 Battery-   6 Hearing device-   8 Sound channel-   10 Sound inlet opening-   11 Wall-   12 Outer wall region-   14 Inner wall region-   15 Scalp of the user-   16 Inner space-   18 Microphone opening-   20 Protective element-   22 Sealing element-   24 Tool-   26 First tool tip-   28 Handle part-   30 second tool tip-   D Diameter of the sound channel-   L Length of the sound channel

1. A hearing device, comprising: a housing having a wall that delimitsan inner space, said wall having a microphone opening formed therein; amicrophone disposed in said inner space; a protective element forprotecting said microphone; and said housing having a sound channel thatleads to said microphone and at least one sound inlet opening formedtherein, said protective element is disposed in said sound channel. 2.The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said protective elementis reversibly replaceable.
 3. The hearing device according to claim 1,wherein said sound channel is configured to extend through said housingand has a respective sound inlet opening formed at each end, said soundchannel being delimited by said wall and connected to said microphonevia said microphone opening.
 4. The hearing device according to claim 1,wherein said protective element is elastic and is gripped within saidsound channel as a result of its elasticity.
 5. The hearing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said protective element is disposed insaid sound channel a distance apart from said at least one sound inletopening.
 6. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein saidprotective element may be guided through said sound channel.
 7. Thehearing device according to claim 3, wherein said housing is a sealablehousing, and when said housing is closed, said protective element may beplaced into said sound channel via one said sound inlet opening.
 8. Thehearing device according to claim 1, wherein for purposes ofreplacement, said protective element may be guided into or out of saidsound channel by means of a tool.
 9. The hearing device according toclaim 1, wherein said protective element is a membrane.
 10. The hearingdevice according to claim 1, wherein said protective element has ahydrophobic and/or oleophobic material.
 11. The hearing device accordingto claim 1, wherein said wall has an inner wall region and an outer wallregion which delimit said sound channel; and further comprising asealing element disposed between said microphone and said inner wall.12. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein said sealingelement is separate from said protective element.
 13. The hearing deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a tool as an accessory, saidtool having a handle part and at least one tool tip for guiding saidprotective element.
 14. The hearing device according to claim 13,wherein said at least one tool tip is pin-shaped and may be pushed intosaid sound channel.
 15. The hearing device according to claim 13,wherein said at least one tool tip is one of two tool tips that arefurnished having different lengths.
 16. The hearing device according toclaim 1, wherein the hearing device is a behind-the-ear hearing device.